Do Cats Know and Express Love?

By Jennifer Viegas

Most of us are incurable romantics. We think that feelings and expressions of love exist only within our species. But what about cats and other animals? Does anything akin to love exist in their world? The answer may surprise you, as it turns the love mirror back on us, revealing mysteries about our own struggles with l’amour.

Love RedefinedUntil recently, poets, musicians and other creative individuals mostly defined love for us, coming up with traditions like Cupid and his arrow or St. Valentine’s Day celebrations. But a slew of recent scientific studies put the focus on love’s source of origin -- the brain.

Love turns out to be a valuable brain-initiated mechanism for species survival. It permits alliances between individuals, such as males and females, or parents and children, in order to facilitate breeding and infant care. Neuroscientists, such as Andreas Bartels of University College London, have determined that the brain-produced hormones oxytocin and vasopressin are real-life Love Potion No. 9s, leading to bonds between certain individuals.

Lions and Romantic LoveThe feeling of “falling in love” is very specific, brain-imaging studies show. In humans, this can last for up to a few years, leading some people to constantly fall in and out of love or become addicted to that intense sense of attraction to another.

Domestic housecats have no need for extended male-female love in regards to reproduction. Lust, which appears in a different part of the brain, draws Toms and females together, but they then go their separate ways fairly quickly after mating, with mothers handling all parental duties. Lions are the one exception among cats, according to Jonathan Balcombe, author of the best-selling book Pleasurable Kingdom: Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good (MacMillan 2006). “Male lions will care for their cubs,” he explains.

Motherly LoveRomance isn’t the end all to love. “Emotions comparable to caring and romantic love are, without a doubt, expressed between a mother and her kittens,” explains Dr. Balcombe, who is also an animal behavior research scientist for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. A vivid example is the story of Scarlett, a calico cat who pulled her five kittens, one by one, from a burning building in New York in 1996. Her actions, which left Scarlett with lifelong debilitating injuries, were documented by Animal Planet, but Dr. Balcombe says such stories are not uncommon.

What Does Your Cat Think of You?“Cats recognize we’re not cats,” he says, so the bond between you and your cat has no direct equal. Instead, Dr. Balcombe believes cats view us in various ways, depending on the circumstance. When you groom, pet or hold your cat, you may become like a mother or beloved sibling, since cats associate these activities with kittenhood and experiences shared among brothers and sisters.

Dr. Balcombe suspects cats also value companionship. “I’ve noticed that whenever I’m in a room working alone, my cats often come in to join me, attempting to get my attention,” he says. “They could go anywhere, but they seem to desire my company.” He admits that selfish reasons, such as a warm lap on a cold day, might sometimes motivate felines, but there are times when companionship alone is the only reward.

Feel the LoveSince love is tied to pleasure seeking and personal rewards, you can demonstrate your fondness for your cat in ways that your feline friend will understand. Here are a few suggestions:

Try grasping and massaging your cat at the back of its neck, Dr. Balcombe advises. That’s what your cat’s mother did, so you will be reminding your pet of motherly love.

Schedule regular grooming sessions with your cat, in addition to frequent massages. Felines are very tactile creatures, so touch is key.

Cats exude contented absorption when kneading, Dr. Balcombe says. This is another activity linked to mother-kitten interaction. Instead of wincing when your cat may knead on you, place a blanket on your lap to absorb the claw piercing.

Playing helps to ease tension and to promote trust-forming hormones. Be sure to play with your cat as much as possible. Dr. Balcombe shares that one of his cat’s favorite toys is an unshelled hazelnut, rolling on the floor.

Romantic love is often fleeting, but the love between a parent and child, or between two friends or siblings, can last forever. That is the sort of love that likely exists between you and your cat. The relationship probably isn’t one-sided, either. “Love, warmth and caring seem to be expressed by cats,” Dr. Balcombe says. Your most loyal valentine could then very well be your feline friend.

Jennifer Viegas is the managing editor ofThe Daily Cat. She is a journalist for Discovery News, the news service for the Discovery Channel,and has written more than 20 books on animals, health and other science-related topics.

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Posted on December 18, 2011

pat says: Every night before i go to the bedroom i will say," Mama is going to go to bed.Are you coming Smokey to tuck me in? He will wait for about 5 mins. before enter my room so I can get myself all situated. In he comes and jumps on the bed and lays down on the top part of my pillow. He wait fr me to nuzzle with him and then will stay for about 10 mins and then off he goes.

Posted on February 10, 2012

Katlovr says: My cat feels romantic love. He is loyal to milkshake, a female cat. He will stay outside some nights to be with his love. He has been tied to her for a year or so..

Posted on February 11, 2012

Cassandra says: My cat Jack is a pampered boy who expresses his love, likes and dislikes in ways I've come to understand. I know he loves me and wants attention because he curls up next to me when he wants to sleep. I love this cat so much! He's also jealous of the computer. He walks across the keyboard and parks his tuchus on it because it's getting attention he wants. Same for my reading material. You just gotta love him!

Posted on October 6, 2011

Staci & Buddy Cat says: My Budds (aka Buddy) is ALWAYS with me- he even sits on the bathtub ledge when I'm in the shower! I love him so much and I'm pretty sure he knows it! Budds and I are inseparable and I think- at times-when I'm away- that I miss him more than he misses me!

Posted on November 28, 2011

Me says: Sadly I just lost one of my cats last night. As I sat there with her in my arms, petting her and telling her that she is loved. I couldnt help but think if she even knew what love was. I have to believe cats do. They purr, kneed and snuggle all the time. I hope Serenity knows as she passed last night.

Posted on August 23, 2011

clasta says: I know cats show love. My babies do, and I feel their love. I give them love also, this is true unconditional love.

Posted on June 17, 2011

Kitty Galore says: This article is WORTHLESS. I've seen better reporting in a Sophomore journalism class.

Posted on June 17, 2011

Floyd says: We have a cat thats stops by now and then. When I had my heart surgery he stayed with nite and day, slept with me, just loved me. Now that I'm better he is back to stopping by every now and then.

Posted on June 17, 2011

Colleen says: Mine show me love every day--and sometimes I'm not ready for the kneading, but they don't seem to mind when I wince!

Posted on June 17, 2011

John says: Cats may not meow with each other, but they can yowl at each other in preparation to fighting. I once put a tape recording between my unfixed male cat and another unfixed male cat, who spent minutes facing each other and yowling like bad violins.

Posted on June 17, 2011

BetGR says: Right after my mother died in 2004 my cat would sit on my bed next to me and put her paw on my hand. When I was grieving and crying - she would sit next me as close to my heart as possible and purr - for hours. I know she was comforting me - and I felt very comforted. She didn't do that before my mom passed. Cats do know love - in their own way - but it is love, nonetheless.

Posted on March 12, 2010

Jeanne L says: I know for a fact cats fall in love. My cat Fred is head over heals in love with Molly. Where Molly goes Fred will follow. They might as well be Married.

Posted on March 24, 2010

Heidi says: I have 9 cats, one in particular Sass was in love with cleo, she would follow him every where, eat, sleep and walk with him, but he died. she mourned him for 2 years. she has now found a new love in Jake and reacts the same around him as she did with cleo. i say that Jake and Sass are married.

Posted on May 17, 2010

LS says: They miss us when we're away and they take care of us when we're sick and comfort us when we're sad and play with us and make us laugh. I don't know where people get the idea that cats are unfeeling or aloof. My cats have always been very affectionate and kind.

Posted on July 29, 2010

Posted on August 4, 2010

LMB says: Just reading and remembering old friends. We're not in a situation at the moment where we could have a pet, but there's been a few. Felix, the Maine Coon, with a wicked sense of humour and a delight in sticking his face in my husband's shoes. (They had to have been freshly worn so that the odour was strong. Felix particularly liked his runners.) Misha, the part Siamese, part Bombay and 25% something else, (She had brown Tabby stripes through her otherwise black fur), who finally learned that the window glass was not going to jump out of her way for her to catch the starlings after the twelfth running attempt. The glass is safety and her head remarkably resilient. Hogarth, the long-haired Angora mix, who seemed very much the country squire right down to the tweed-coloured jacket. He liked the occasional lick of milk out of his own tiny glass and often tried to pick small objects up as a human would. Tyrannia, a mostly Siamese, who, wanting a retirement home, (the original humans no longer being able to care for her), arrives to find a masher by the name of Hogarth. Hogarth was accidentally locked out on the balcony once and she cried until we came and let Hogarth in from the cold. He might be a masher, but he was HER masher. Then there was Warlock, a black self, so named as he arrived on our doorstep on Halloween...and strangely left two weeks before Christmans. This last is true. Freaked me right out.

Posted on August 6, 2010

Cat lover says:

Posted on August 28, 2010

Mowmows says: He's part human, he definitely loves me & keep me company. He follows me around the house, greets me at the door & definitely talks to me with his meows. I <3 Mr. Mowmows SO MUCH!!

Posted on September 27, 2010

Posted on October 9, 2010

Chrisy says: I totally knew that cats could feel love. She's always there when i need her and she always come to me when she wants loves. If i'm gone for two nights in a row, she gets worried and starts looking for me.

Posted on February 13, 2010

Michelle says: I've been gently massaging the back of Dublin's neck for months now, & he likes it a lot. He closes his eyes & seems to mellow out a lot. He loves it when I brush him, & we have a great relationship. We play a lot together, too, & I have as much as fun as he does, or maybe a little more. :D

Posted on January 28, 2010

Cherish says: I tried what you said about grasping the back of the neck and rubbing and when I did she immediately stopped what she was doing and layed down. It was cute. I love my cat very much and you are right, I always will.

Posted on February 11, 2010

lover girl says: my dad ran over my cat !!!!

Posted on December 29, 2009

Posted on January 6, 2010

Alison says: I loved the aritcal!

Posted on January 9, 2010

Eileen Lisker says: Rescued a stray female cat. My Vet did not neuter her because she appears to be 8yrs old. We have had her for 3 months, inside for 1 month. She shows signs of "in heat". How long, often does this occur? (My Vet thought she may have been neutered - due to her age and no signs for 3 months.

Posted on December 29, 2009

Jamie says: hi. my cat Sadie was bout a year old and she loved her mom but we had to move away and we took one cat at a time. we had four cats so we took Sadie's mom Smokey first. smokey lived at the new house for a few days maybe 2 and we brought Sadie in. Sadie is VERY leader like cat but turns to mosh when im around and she hates the rest of my family! so we brought her to the new house and i took her to her mom. and she just went nuts! and went right at her mom! they used to have a loving relationship but its gone now what do i do! we may have to give smokey away because of it and i DON'T wanna do that then we brought our other 2 cats TOGETHER to see what happen. they were best friends one male one female they just loved each other! we took em out of the crate and Sadie went after them too! not as bad as with her mom but she still did it. then we moved again and took Sadie Buddy and Angel together but sadie in an other cage. we brought smokey later and Sadie did it again! then we got a dog we got her as a pup by then Sadie had a litter of grown kittens we sold all but one thats storm. and Storm had a litter about 5 weeks when we got the dog(Mystie) Storms kitten that we kept (sapphire) is friends with the dog. But Sadie. NO! Sadie hated mystie she has given mystie many bloody noses. and know Sadie is Biting my family! but then we got goats. she grooms then and is like there mother. now all my pets are *fixed* and nothing has changed! i need help fast!

Posted on December 29, 2009

AbyssQueen says: Really, Shana? Poor baby. :( I'm not sure when my poor Nightlight was taken from him momma. I hope he's just enjoying it.
As for my 3 cats pottying on the floor, it isn't spray, it is well... poop. I think 2 of my cats; one female, one male, both fixed, have done it once or twice, but Nightlight, the oldest of them, a fixed male, does it daily. Really quite annoying. We have one of those Cat Genie boxes.
I am Nightlight's fave person, & I'm proud to say it. He loves on me daily & sleeps at my feet at night. My other cat Sweepie (Chimney Sweeper, the name has a bit of a story xD) loves me as well. I know for a fact that cat love exists! =D

Posted on December 8, 2009

Linda says: My 2 male cats (not genetic brothers) are mostly very good friends...they get along quite well and lick each other, as if they really care for each other. What's that all about, in terms of cat behavior?

Posted on November 14, 2009

Sidney says: I have recently taken in a gray tabby kitten named Brutus who is barely bigger than an orange, and he loves me immensely, especially when catmilk supplement is involved. Three years ago, I also took in a male kitten named Phoebe, who is an adult, and still a big baby. I have also a tortoiseshell named Rosie and a white tom named Powder. Love my felines!

Posted on November 14, 2009

WILF wilf@wilfray.com says: My cat who lives on IAMS, just appeared on YouTube.com, showing us his favorite "watering hole" Would you be interested in having him do a commercial for you?

Posted on October 14, 2009

Charlie says: yes they can I had a cat that was soooo depressed after one of the others died that we had o take him to the vet.

Posted on October 21, 2009

Brooke says: My cat, Gizmo, is about 23 something years old.I have had him ever since I was born (I'm 11). Is it normal for him to be this old and still alive?

Posted on October 23, 2009

Dorotha Schnebly says: How can I get a daily cat email?

Posted on October 26, 2009

Shana says: Monica Pierce - I believe your cat is "scenting" when she shakes her tail. Does she usually do it with her behind aimed at a person or an object? If so, my cats do this as well. Fixed cats are either faux scenting or doing it without urine, you can probably find more info on the web.
Robert - you have to discipline your cat in a way it understands. As soon as it exhibits violent behavior that may hurt you. Say NO firmly but not shouting and immediately place you cat on the floor and ignore him for about 5 minutes. He should get the hint after awhile. Negative conditioning usually works very well on cats since they are very smart. I have found the best way to say "no" to a cat is to kind of do a low tone and draw it out, simulating a warning growl from another cat. That is how cats tell each other they are playing too rough.
Pam Smith - Kneading and sucking on a blanket indicates that your cat was most likely taken away from its mother before 3 months or it is merely taking pleasure in pretending to nurse on your blanket. Kittens knead their mothers on each side of the nipple to help the milk come out. Your kitten is doing this just because it is comforting and makes them happy.
Germaine - in my experience, cat relationships are two way streets. They "know" you're a good person after you earn their trust. If you treat them well, they learn to trust you.
Claire Jacobson - simulated copulation or "humping" between two males is usually done as a sign of domination over the "humpee".
Ashley J - is he urinating outside the box? or pooping too? All male cats spray areas to mark their territory from other male cats. This is why most people neuter their tomcats. The spray should smell much worse and muskier than normal pee. If he is already fixed, a number of males will still mark territory after being neutered, especially if they were neutered after they started spraying. If you ever convince your mom to let the cat back in the house, use Nature's Miracle to thoroughly soak and clean any sprayed areas in the house.
Karen - you are correct that closing the eyes or mostly closing the eyes conveys something to a cat and vice versa. It conveys trust. Unlike humans, wide eyes in animals are associated with anger, fear and/or alertness. When a cat looks at you with almost closed eyes, it saying, "I trust you".
Hope this helped some of you to understand your cats better. I am not a professional but I have owned cats since I was born and have observed and read about their behaviors.

Posted on October 13, 2009

Jayfeather says: I used to have a dark brown tabby tomcat by the name of Tiger. He went outside one day and never came back in. I looked for days until my Dad finally told me that he was probably dead and I should stop trying. ButI don't think he's dead, I would know if he was.I would be able to feel it. :(
But that's not what I wanted to ask. What I want to know is: why did he run away? I always gave him little kitty treats and heated up his food to make it yummier and gave him my favorite pillows to sleep on (much to my mother's displeasure).
I would like to know were I went wrong. I always tried to make him happy, did I not try hard enough?

Posted on October 10, 2009

JinxtheCat says: To all of you with cats that aren't spayed/neutered, you are irresponsible people. Get a grip, you aren't doing anyone, including the cats, any favors. And to anyone who wants a nice cat, I highly recommend your local shelter, the cats there need and deserve a good home. To Jen and Lori, get your damn cats spayed/neutered. You are contributing to the problem of pet over-population.

Posted on October 10, 2009

Another mommy says: I rescued Timinou when he was barely 4 weeks old - he fit in the palm of my hand. I fed him milk with my finger, then pablum, etc. He is now 6 - and he still sits and stares at me all the time, even when I am sleeping, with the most incredible love in his eyes. I know I am his mommy, forever, And of course, I love him right back.

Posted on October 9, 2009

Mommy says: This article is so true! I rescued my cat Alice when she was jiust under 8 weeks old (she's a little over 2 years old now). I saw her crying in the window of the local SPCA and it was love at first sight. Since then we have been inseperable. Over a year ago I was in the hospital for about a month and my mom who was at home with Alice told me that she became so utterly depressed without me there. We decided that since I couldn't come home that I would talk to Alice over the phone. My mom held the phone up to Alice and I would call her name and talk to her and then she would nuzzle up against the phone and lick the speaker. She knows when I get off school and work and is always waiting for me at the door. She's the love of my life!

Posted on October 6, 2009

mary ann says: My cat Cuttles,is very funny .But Smart at the same time,knows who to get my attendion,She started to hit me on the leg ,and talk to me at the same time..I ask her want do youwhat. And she hets me again,Iask her do you want somine to eat , end she meows again,So i say lets go ,and Hse go's right to the food.This is what she learned on her own.

Posted on September 17, 2009

stephanie says: We just found a stray male(ferel) cat...we have 2 female cats both rescued...I have a somewhat reluctant home for this one but I am considering just keeping him. Any thoughts?

Posted on September 7, 2009

CatLover says: i have two cats - a male and a female. I got the male cat when he was 4 months old, he got kicked out of his previous home because he was always attacking the older cat he used to live with. A year after i got him, i got a female cat when she was 8 weeks old. He is always attacking her, biting her on the back, going for her neck, i don't know why he does that. They can never stay in the same room for more than a few minutes before he goes on his rampage, any suggestions.

Posted on August 19, 2009

Posted on August 23, 2009

Lori says: I think this question should be changed to How Many types of Love is any Domestic Feline Capable of? I am a permanently disabled woman, married for 31 yrs I have 2 adult children, my Son, 27 lives on the mainland in Vancouver, BC as an Animated Independant Film Maker. Tragically, our beautiful daughter died very suddenly and tragically in our home in 1997. She was 17 yrs old, with a brilliant life awaiting her as she would have begun her University Ed. upon her Graduation which would have begun less than 2 mos after her death, to become a Zoologist, had she lived. This tragedy was made even worse when her beautiful Cat, Bonnie, went into such deep grief over her death, that she was determined to die. Her cat's name was Bonnie. Bonnie managed to make a hole in the material stretched tight in the box spring of our daughter's bed. She went there to die. We tried everything under the sun to coax her out and come to eat and drink. We had 2 Family Cats as well, & even they tried to make her come out and play with them, but she would hiss and attack if the poked their wee heads up inside the hole. In my personal experience, you must be able to love and care for someone dearly, in order to be able to Grieve in varying degree's, as human beings, animals are no different. My God, Mankind has known this forever, fm the many lengthy studies done by zoologists to ascertain this, using Elephants as a prime example. They love as hard as we do, and when a loved one is lost in the herd, they grieve and they also cover the remains with scrub and tree limbs, before they carry on in their Journey to find food and water. Dolphins, Whales, etc, also Love and Grieve just like humans do. After 4 weeks of pleading, bribing etc, Bonnie refused to eat and only drank a sm amt of water. She was no longer the beautiful chubby cat that was truly in love with our daughter. We were advised by our Vet to find a home with someone who had no children and no other pets, as this was the only thing that may bring Bonnie out of her grief. We were contacted the following day by a woman looking for kitten at the vets office but none were available. Bonnie was spayed & 4 yrs old, & seeing her happy again is all we wanted. This woman chose to help Bonnie & it was also like losing another part of our daughter, however, it worked & Bonnie learned to love again with her new human 'Mum'. W/o a doubt in my mind, I know that all felines are extremely capable of love & caring for each other, and their human family. I also know that Felines are capable of having one true love only. We have 2 Adult Cats now, that we adopted in the Fall of 2005. My hubby gave them to me for Xmas. Hubby thought he had 2 boys, as he took the word of the 2 seperate places he got them fm. He found out about this err, while bathing the kittens as they were both so flea ridden it was unbelievable! Timmy & Jilly have a manoganous relationship. I don't know that Jilly is in heat until I hear that alltoofamiiar primal scream is ringing in my ears. They always choose our bdrm & preferably our bed, to do their love-making, lol, of course it never happens when we are in bed. They have an uncanny way of hiding their passion, unlike anything I've ever seen in felines. They also do it for fun when Jilly is visibly pregnant and not in heat at all. It's very difficult to know when they are doing it for fun, or to create a litter of kittens. I refuse to abort a litter of kittens as I've had no problem ever, in finding them homes. I was stunned to learn that 'Mum' can be impregnated anytime after giving birth. Jilly won't even bother with any other male cat that comes calling when she is obviously in heat. So, Timmy is going to be neuterred so we can put a halt to all the Kitten making, in our bedroom, or any room of the house. No one will ever convince me that Cats are'nt capable of loving one another. I know they are, & it must be love if Jilly will only assume the position for Timmy! Love is very much alive and well in the Animal Kingdom!

Posted on August 3, 2009

meagan says: I have a 5 year old male that I found in a bush with his dead mother and siblings, he was only about a week or so old. Ever since that day I have been his mommy, I brush him I wipe him with face cloths when he gets in the mud, he gets messages every day and I know he loves me like he would love his mommy he gets this goofy dreamy look in his eyes when I am brushing him that just seems to say, thanks for taking care of me< I will love you forever.

Posted on May 23, 2009

YP says: This is an interesting take on the types of love theories already around in relation to humans (see Lee and Sternberg). In reponse to Lisa, I agree with there being exceptions to the rules, but a few of her examples could be answered in theory with the "companioble longing" aspect of kitty love. I've seen this in all my cats and dogs, especially my first cat with my dog and later my youngest, feral kitten with my established furry family. It takes a while, but they grow close to each other, likely forming some sort of sibling bond. As for the tips, I'll definitely keep them more in mind; while I practised them already, it helps to have some explanations behind them to give to other people who want them. :)

Posted on June 5, 2009

Posted on June 10, 2009

Laura says: To Geraime, I think the cats in your life just found you by trial and error in going around the neighborhood. They might have been taken in my one of the more transietnt neighbors and moved with them the next time the family/person moved. Also, once you have a cat and other cats know it (through long-distance scent detection, etc...), that may tell other wandering cats that your place is a good place for a cat - or just that you have cat vittles around. Or.... maybe your living room smells like tuna! ;)

Posted on June 11, 2009

Paulette says: I have a female adult cat that I rescued from a shelter for about 3 years now. I absolutely love her and she is definitely a lap cat, but every so often she just grabs my hand and bites me hard. It seems to me like she thinks she is playing, but I'm not really sure why she does it. Any answers? Thanks

Posted on June 24, 2009

Claire Jacobson says: My Miniature Pincher, 7 months old, is definitely in love with my male cat (about two years old). She "humps" him and the male cat doesn't seem to mind. I can't leave the house without leaving the dog with the cat who is a "baby sitter". I've never seen such love between a dog and cat.

Posted on June 24, 2009

Ashley J. says: hey, my black tom-cat Terrorist got kicked out of the house by my mom because he kept messing outside the litterbox... how can i fix this problem? btw Terrorist is about 1yr old now

Posted on June 25, 2009

Scott Wheat says: Some cats can start biting from over stimulation. If it starts to get out of control slap you other hand down the floor or bed or whatever you are on and his should make to cat stop by disverting it's attention long enough for you to move you hand/arm. Next, ignore the cat for a while so that it can associate a loss of your presence with the bad behavior. Hopefully this will help you.

Posted on July 2, 2009

Karen says: This was a great article. I read somewhere that when you have eye contact with your cat, if you slowly close & open your eyes, you are conveying, "I Love You" and that your cat understands this. I do this to my cat and he does the same thing back to me. I like to think that he is saying he " I Love You Too".

Posted on July 5, 2009

Jen says: My family and I live in the suburbs, and we ended up with around 52 cats. Mostly all outdoors, except for older and young ones. All of these cats were related. They all loved each other, raising each others kittens and all of them sleeping together. All of them were happy and healthy, unfortunately, an older lady in my area thought we were mistreating our cats when she saw our oldest cat, Shadow, who was sick, outside one day, and reported us. Now I only have a feral kitten that showed up with another kitten. I caught both, but the other was constantly trying to get out by running into windows or glass doors, so in fear for her life, I simply released her.

Posted on May 6, 2009

Germaine says: ...cats know who to trust? I ahve 4 cats that have adopted me over the last 17 years; Bob lived 2 years in my yard, wouldn't elt me touch him but accepted food. Then the neighborhood kids shot him with a bb gun, and the next morning, he started 'talking' to me. I took him to the vet, he got stitches where he was shot, was 'fixed', fed, named and had a collar put on. Sweetpea, also a male, showed up about 5 years after Bobcat, had him groomed, fixed, named and he adores his place in the house now! Then J.P.Kitty showed up; Bobcat tried to eat him because he was a tiny kitten, got him fixed, etc...Sweetpea loves him, they clean each others ears all the time...then KittoBeebs arrived. He was SO afraid of people, but just loved me so much from the moment he showed up! They are all still with me, all extremely healthy, (J.P. and Sweetpea both weigh a bit over 20 lbs each, but they are not fat! Just tomcats...), they all had health issues when they would show up on my doorstep, but all had dental work done, any operations necessary were taken care of, etc. What I want to know is: out of the whole neighborhood, how did they know I would want them, take care of them, love them, etc.? If they had shown up at any other house there, it is/was a rather transient neighborhood, (I no longer live there), I know for a fact that they would still be stray, or worse. But the fact that each of them showed up at my home....I mean, I think they made the right, best choice!, but how did they know? Any ideas? Or d'ya think it was ESP...?!

Posted on April 15, 2009

Amy Morrison says: my cat has recently began to sit up and beg with both paws. She does it to furniture or simply to nothing at all. What is she doing? She is 2 years old. Thanks

Posted on April 5, 2009

Pam Smith says: My cat does something very odd .... he is about 4 months old and often gets on a blanket, puts a portion of it in his mouth and starts to pull on it and start kneading insesantly .... he looks like he is thoroughly enjoying it ...he will go on and on for several minutes at a time .. he seems to be in some sort of trance ... I wish I could show you a video of it ... it is the most funniest thing ever.. Have you ever seen this or know why they do it? I have had cats all my life and have never seen a cat act in this way. Thank you for your help - if you could please email me direct, I would really appreciate it a response in this fashion. Thank you very, very much!

Posted on April 4, 2009

Robert says: My cat Marcus Dee bites everytime I am petting him.
I got him at 1 yr old and fixed.He is Cornish Rex and was going to be a breeder cat. So there wasn't too much attention given. Sometimes the bites draw blood, and hurts. What can I do?

Posted on April 2, 2009

Angie says: I have a cat named Tiger and he gives me hugs. He loves my German Shepard Molly he jumps on her back, neads her back and licks her head. I don't know if he thinks Molly is a sibling or his mom but they are SO cute together : )

Posted on March 22, 2009

Beech says: This was such a heart-warming article to read!! Thank you!

Posted on March 31, 2009

Posted on March 18, 2009

BRYAN OLDS says: SAM (MY CAT) IS THE BEST. HE WAS WITH ME THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS SICK ABOUT 6-7 DAYS . NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A PAL

Posted on March 4, 2009

Lil says: Nice article could you possibly tell me if cats fall in love with humans because ven though that seems impossible it would be interesting to find out.

Posted on March 4, 2009

monica pierce says: My cat likes to wake me up by washing my hair. She is very focused and serious about it, and it's very maternal- towards me. She will clean me until her raspy tongue almost hurts. Also, sometimes when she is asking for something she rattles her tail, what could this mean?

Posted on March 2, 2009

vickie stewart says: how long do cats carry there young?

Posted on March 4, 2009

Donna says: my cat prince is loosing his hair and he never usually molts could it be caused by trauma? a dog moved in next door and I rescued him from dogs when Ifound him in my back yard over 3yrs ago

Posted on March 1, 2009

Cookie says: Although most of my cats may associate me with a mother or sibling in their affections, a few have clearly seen me as an equal.
these very special cats have been real treasures. Even though I love all my cats very much Xandrina, Tarjjid and Felix the First stand out as wise and of a different nature from all of the others. One of my friends remarked that these were "reincarnated humans." Although I cannot say that I agree, I knew what she meant. The specialness of them is difficult to define but is quite definitely there.

Posted on February 27, 2009

Lisa says: I agree and disagree--I have seen exceptions to almost everything mentioned here. Spot (female) took to Bear (male) and would only accept him as her sexual partner. Spot and Bear were inseparable, and Bear slowly taught Spot how to be around humans (she was completely feral when she arrived). Mikey (male) would round up kittens from any litter he could find, put them in "his" basket, groom them and allow them to cuddle up with him, even trying to nurse. Grumpy (male) is constantly befriending younger (under 2 years old) cats, sleeping in a heap with them, playing with them, and teaching them new naughty things to do. Max, a semi-feral stray, just about goes into panic attacks if I'm gone away for more than a day. And when I return, he's desperate to make up for lost time. I think cats do love, both other cats and their humans.

Posted on March 1, 2009

Beth says: I Have two male brother cats, and they are SUPER SUPER CLOSE twins. I've never seen them leave each other before. Is this okay?

Posted on March 1, 2009

Jacob says: It sounds like your cat is in heat. But if it's been altered, or it's a boy, then I don't know. Some cats are just weird.

Posted on February 26, 2009

Bella the Cat and Jaz the Nut says: My kitten, Bella, was taken from her mother along with her brother, Edward. They both treat me just as they would their mother, and when they were littler they'd even squal everytime I left their sight, even for just 2 seconds. Do you think they think I'm their mother?

Posted on February 25, 2009

brenda says: Can you tell me why my cat is croutching down and meowing alot, also rolling over on her back?